Saturday, August 25, 2018

Beginning of the School Year Blues

The
beginning of a new school year is an exciting time. It involved new clothes,
new school supplies, and possibly new friends. The very things that make this time
exciting can also make it challenging.

A change of
classrooms, teachers, or schools can bring on anxiety. Even for older children
a new situation can mean changes in long-time friendships, or the emergence
of a previously coped with learning issue like staying organized. With all of the excitement of the
new school year it can be difficult to sort through what challenges are temporary
and what needs to be addressed. However, there are good things parents can do
in the meantime.

1. Be open
to interaction. This means that the screens (phones, tablets, computers,
televisions) should be set aside. This is the time for many short, but
important, conversations that help your child to think through anxiety and
challenge. They need to be comforted, to brainstorm ideas, and to get feedback. Be available!

2. Identify
emotions. This is not the time to assume that your child is correctly
identifying emotions. For example, worry can easily morph into fear, and jealously can be
mistaken for anger. You will help your child to regulate emotions if you help them
to understand the appropriate emotion for the situation. Be attentive!

3. Encourage resolution. Ask your child to think about possible solutions
before you start making suggestions. Give feedback, but sometimes it is
best to let them try their solution first. Be supportive!

Children do
not gain confidence from winning at a stress-free life or from having their problems solved for them. They gain confidence when
they struggle and cope with challenges. Children develop resilience when the
learn that God has given them people who are there to help.